We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shanick. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shanick below.

Shanick, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you ever had an amazing boss, mentor or leader leading you? Can you us a story or anecdote that helps illustrate why this person was such a great leader and the impact they had on you or their team?

The best boss I’ve ever had is the one I have now. My current principal is a breath of fresh air. She treats her employees like actual human beings. She always has her doors open and is always willing to listen to us. She gives us her full attention and invites us to brainstorm ideas as a team. She also understands that we are more than just employees and we have lives outside of our careers. She prioritizes family and asks no questions when we have to respond to things outside of our roles at work. She trusts that we will get the work done and is always reminding us how much we are appreciated. I can go on and on about how amazing she is, but I think you get the idea.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hey there! I’m Shanick—mom, school counselor with over a decade of experience, and the creator behind @uraveragemama.

A Little About Me
I started my career as a caseworker and have spent the last ten years as a school counselor, supporting kids and families through all kinds of challenges. As a single mom practicing gentle parenting, I mix my professional knowledge with real-life mom moments to create content that’s honest, helpful, and (hopefully) hilarious.

What You’ll Find on My Page
• Relatable Reels: Real talk and humor about motherhood—the messy, beautiful chaos of it all.
• Parenting Insights: Gentle parenting tips and strategies that are rooted in my counseling background but lived out daily in real life.
• Emotional Support: Honest conversations that remind you you’re not alone in this parenting thing.

Why I Do This
Parenting is hard—and it’s even harder when you feel like you’re doing it alone. My goal is to create a space where you can laugh, learn, and feel seen. Whether you’re here for the laughs or the life tips, I’m glad you found me.

What Sets Me Apart

Combining professional counseling expertise with real-life parenting experiences allows me to offer a unique perspective that is both knowledgeable and relatable. My content reflects a balance of authenticity and practical solutions, making it accessible and valuable to a wide audience.

Pride and Aspirations

I’m most proud of the supportive community that has flourished around my content—a space where parents can find humor, advice, and camaraderie. I aim to continue empowering parents with resources and insights that make the parenting journey a bit smoother and more joyful.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about my journey. I invite you to join our community on Instagram, where we embrace the perfectly imperfect adventure of parenthood together.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

⸻

One moment that really tested—and proved—my resilience was during the early days of single motherhood. I was juggling a full-time job as a school counselor, adjusting to life as a solo parent, and trying to hold it all together for my kids. There were days I felt completely overwhelmed, like I was barely keeping my head above water.

But instead of letting that season break me, I leaned into it. I started creating content as a creative outlet—a way to process everything I was feeling and connect with others going through similar struggles. What started as just sharing relatable mom moments turned into a community of people who saw themselves in my story.

That chapter taught me that resilience isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about showing up anyway. It’s about laughing through the chaos, being honest about the hard parts, and finding strength in the mess. And now, I get to use both my personal and professional experience to support and encourage other parents who are in the thick of it too.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the idea that being a “good mom” means doing everything perfectly. I used to think I had to have it all together 24/7—but the truth is, kids don’t need perfect, they need present. Once I let go of the pressure and embraced the chaos, I became a much more connected and joyful parent—and way less stressed!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uraveragemama?igsh=ODQ4bjBvdmI0MWgz&utm_source=qr
• Other: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@uraveragemama?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==